Choi Yong-kun

Choi Yong-kun (21 June 1900-19 September 1976), also called Choe Yong-gon, was the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea from 20 September 1957 to 28 December 1972, succeeding Kim Tu-bong and preceding Kim Il-sung.

Biography
Choi Yong-kun was born on 21 June 1900 in Taechon, North Pyongyan Province, in the Korean Empire. He attended two military academies before joining the Communist Party of China during the Northern Expedition in 1927 and leading a guerrilla unit against the Empire of Japan after their occupation of Manchuria in 1931. In 1945, Choi joined the Korean Social Democratic Party, which was allied with the Workers' Party of Korea. In February 1948, Choi was appointed commander-in-chief of the Korean People's Army (KPA), leading it throughout the Korean War against the United Nations and South Korea. He was forced to retire from this position at the war's end in July 1953, and he served as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea brom 20 September 1957 to 28 December 1972. Choi died in 1976, two years after leaving office.